Esports is a rapidly growing industry. The culture has picked quite a lot in the last decade and continues to increase in diversity and size. Currently, the industry stands close to $700 million in total worth. By 2018, it is predicted to grow up to $1.9 billion with the current rate of growth.

Professional gamers and fans of the gaming world have always been frowned upon. Nowadays, the gaming industry has grown larger than the cinema. In fact, eSports, which is a part of the gaming industry, is at a peak that cinema saw at the time of its inception.

We can surely suggest that the move from television to the computer and the internet for entertainment, is one of the key factors leading to an increase in demand for eSports and gaming entertainment.

In addition to this, a lot of popular names around the globe with worth attached to them, have invested into eSports. Surely these people see the potential in the industry. Business men and celebrities alike, buy off eSports organizations and teams and place them on global platforms.

Recently, a few sporting legends decided to invest into the culture as well. Basketball all-star Shaquille O’Neal, Alex Rodriguez, and Jimmy Rollins have placed their money into the industry.

According to NRG eSports, a company that owns Counter Strike and League of Legends teams, the celebrities contacted them directly. They were looking to invest into the organizations. Probably buy off some shares.

In an interview with the Daily Dot, NRG’s Chairman, Andy Miller said, “We think they will help legitimize the space. They all come from the traditional sports world. They were all unbelievably young when they became professionals, like our guys.”

“Shaq has been circling the space, and during CES he kind of fell in love with it, and he said “I’m all in, let’s do it. He’s the world’s biggest kid and he’ll bring an epic amount of fun and energy—no pun intended—to our teams, and to the space in general.”

What Miller perhaps tried to suggest was that the eSports industry is going to benefit from this investment. Having a sporting athletes invest into the eSports industry, will strengthen the growing notion that eSports is a recognizable sport.

This is another decent step for eSports on a global level. We hope for more personalities to realize the potential of the industry and take the platform higher.